Infra projects generated more jobs, says DOTC

Infrastructure projects of the administration of President Arroyo has resulted to more jobs to the Filipino people, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza said yesterday.

In a statement, Mendoza said that the infrastructure projects, included in the Arroyo Administration’s economic program, have resulted in more employment and growth in commerce, agriculture, industry and tourism.

Mendoza said that the government will continue to pursue several strategic infrastructure projects in 2007 which is vital to the country’s economic and social progress.

Some of the infrastructure projects including the rail systems — Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) — are aimed to decongest Metro Manila and improve the country’s civil aviation, road transport, railways and maritime transport networks.

"Vastly improving our transportation networks is a cornerstone of the government thrust to further improve the economy through commerce, industry and tourism," Mendoza said.

"The bottom line of all of these is the delivery of public service, providing the foundations for economic growth," Mendoza also said.

Mendoza also cited the development of new airports.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upgrading and rehabilitation of runway 13-13 is completed. The DOTC said the NAIA Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) will open during the first quarter of this year.

The New Iloilo Airport is 97 percent complete and will start commercial operations in April 2007, he said. The Bacolod (Silay) Airport project which is 80 percent complete is targeted for completion by July 2007.

The Zamboanga Airport runway overlay is 90 percent complete and the expansion of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport Passenger Terminal Building is ongoing and is targeted for completion by September 2007, Mendoza said.

Among the secondary airports, the upgrading and rehabilitation of Plaridel and Tagbilaran Airports are completed.

Mendoza said being undertaken now is the upgrading and rehabilitation of Ozamiz, Virac, Dipolog and Tuguegarao Airports which are targeted for completion in 2007.

In the upgrading and rehabilitation of trunkline airports, Puerto Princesa Airport has been completed, while the Kalibo Airport Air Navigation facilities are 43 percent completed, and the Cotabato Airport runway overlay is 20 percent finished.

Mendoza said that the construction of new feeder airports such as the M’lang Airport has been completed, while the San Antonio Airport is targeted for completion by this month.

The development of RORO (Roll On-Roll Off) transport network in the Siquijor, Maasin, and Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Marinduque was completed. RORO upgrading of the Pantao Port is 85.30 percent complete, that of Dingalan Port, 71.38 percent; the Lucena Port, 85 percent, and the Cawayan Port, 41.41 percent complete.

Under procurement are materials for the development of the Aroroy, Ezperanza, Maripipi, Naval, Limasawa, and Mabajao Ports.

For the development of gateway ports, the Batangas Port access road and flyover construction is 41 percent complete. The Iloilo Port is 92.4 percent, the Zamboanga Port 90.2 percent, the Jagna Port 80.52 percent and the Cagayan de Oro Port is 58.63 percent complete. The development of Davao Port as gateway port is ongoing.